Effects of probiotic Bacillus subtilis spores on innate immune response, tolerance and inflammation

SPALDING T., BONGIOVANNI B., GRAU R

Mar del Plata

Congreso; SAIB; 2007

SAIB

Generation of a protective barrier against harmful microorganisms by colonizing the intestinal mucosa as well as stimulation of innate immune response are implicated in probiotic effects. A new generation of probiotics are constituted by spores of Bacillus subtilis. Complement and Galectins, glycan-binding proteins, represent atractive systems to further explore their response to probiotics and the development of therapies for autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation and cancer. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) has been localized in skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle, neurons, thymus, kidney and placenta. Therefore, it was interesting to investigate the effect of probiotic B. subtilis spores on tissue-specific galectin expression and complement activation in animal model. Animals were feed daily with supplements of B. subtilis spores from 22 to 45, 60 or 90 days. After that, Gal-1 was measured by ELISA and Western Blot in several organs of wistar rats. B. subtilis induced a higher production of Gal-1 in spleen, liver and kidney; organs widely recognize for their key role in health. In addition, probiotic spores induced higher levels of complement components (i.e. C3) and activation of the classic and alternative pathways. Overall these results intoduce new and interesting clues about the probiotic properties of human friendly B. subtilis spores.